Bray People

GOSPEL CHOIR MARKS DECADE

- By MARY FOGARTY

BRAY Gospel Choir celebrated the conclusion of its 10th anniversar­y year last Saturday night at its Christmas party in the Martello.

Members past and present, as well as three of the choir’s four founders, were among those to attend the special party.

They held a concert last June to mark the anniversar­y, with this event a chance to get together for their own celebratio­n.

Louise Dempsey was presented with an award for choir member of the year for her wonderful singing, dedication and amazing efforts to coordinate the charity collection.

Bray Gospel Choir was formed a decade ago by Ruth Donnelly, Serena Kilkenny, Ross Scanlon and Alexandra Crampton.

The four friends had the idea to host a small musical gathering of friends and family.

They initially planned to get together to sing maybe once a week and hosted their first gathering in January 2009.

The choir quickly evolved and is now part of the fabric of Bray, participat­ing in events, concerts and festivals in the town and beyond.

While the music-lovers let their hair down last weekend, they worked hard the previous weekend doing a charity collection for a number of local organisati­ons.

On Saturday, November 23, they collected a whole host of items, from dressing gowns and food to dog treats, toiletries and more, at the Martello and donated them to over 15 different charities, including Bray Women’s Refuge, animal shelters, BARSS and Five Loaves.

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? The entire Bray Gospel Choir.
The entire Bray Gospel Choir.
 ??  ?? Margaret Byrne, Brenda Doyle, Matt Malone, Hilary Doyle and Rita O’Sullivan.
Margaret Byrne, Brenda Doyle, Matt Malone, Hilary Doyle and Rita O’Sullivan.
 ??  ?? Sharon Bolger and Rebecca and Rachel Healy.
Sharon Bolger and Rebecca and Rachel Healy.
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Emma Messitt, Siobhan Kilkenny, Mandy Cummins and Johanna Doyle.
Emma Messitt, Siobhan Kilkenny, Mandy Cummins and Johanna Doyle.
 ??  ?? Niamh McNamara, Dara Kelly, Linda Violet and Catherine Kiely.
Niamh McNamara, Dara Kelly, Linda Violet and Catherine Kiely.
 ??  ?? Ciara Fagan, Rachel Clarke and Brenda Doody.
Ciara Fagan, Rachel Clarke and Brenda Doody.
 ??  ?? Aoife Byrne, Erika Hoffmann and Rachel McKenna.
Aoife Byrne, Erika Hoffmann and Rachel McKenna.
 ??  ?? Serena Kilkenny, Ross Scanlon and Ruth Donnelly.
Serena Kilkenny, Ross Scanlon and Ruth Donnelly.
 ??  ?? Holly Dunford, Liz Donnelly and Hannah Dunford.
Holly Dunford, Liz Donnelly and Hannah Dunford.
 ??  ?? Cliodhna O’Neill, Jessie Dormer and Grainne O’Connor.
Cliodhna O’Neill, Jessie Dormer and Grainne O’Connor.
 ??  ?? Georgina Montague and Amanda Behan.
Georgina Montague and Amanda Behan.
 ??  ?? Paul Kelly, Louise Dempsey and Kieran Gerraghty.
Paul Kelly, Louise Dempsey and Kieran Gerraghty.

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